Nobody knows for sure the answer to this question. The fire began in or near a barn on DeKoven St. belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary.
There is a colorful legend that persists to this day, that the fire was started by a cow, belonging to Mrs. O'Leary, kicking over a lantern. While Mrs. O'Leary, and presumably her cow as well, were real, the story was published because it simply made a good story. This is one of many examples of the Yellow Journalism of the period, and apparently, Mrs. O'Leary spent the rest of her days unhappily in the public eye, blamed for the huge fire until the end of her life.
The Urban Legend blames it on a lantern being kicked over by Mrs. O'Leary's cow.
That remains a mystery, but Catherine O'Leary's cow was not guilty. That was a bit of creative writing which the reporter added as good copy.
The origin of the fire remains unknown, but the story about the O'Leary cow kicking over a lantern has been discounted.
That remains an unknown, but it was not Catherine O'Leary's cow.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but it was not Catherine O'Leary's cow.
It remains of unknown origin, but it was not Catherine O'Leary's cow.
The Chicago Fire started on October 8, 1871.
The origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 remains unknown.
No. We do not know for sure who and how someone started the great fire of Chicago in 1871 and we probably never will since there are no eye-witnesses.
The cause of the Great Chicago Fire remains unknown, but is was not started by Catherine O'Leary's cow.
the great Chicago fire was first started on a Sunday evening between 9 and 10 on october 8 1871.
It came from the great Chicago fire of 1871
So Chicago never forgets the "Great" fire, the Fire Department Academy was built on the site.
In 1871.
The Great Chicago Fire occurred in October of 1871.
The traditional account of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 says it was started by a cow owned by Patrick and Catherine O'Leary kicked over a lantern in a barn and started the fire.
The Chicago Fire burned for 3 days on October 8, 9, and 10, 1871.
The Great Chicago Fire was October 8th to 10th, 1871.